Garden hose device and method

ABSTRACT

A flexible hose having an inner tube member made from a thermoplastic elastomeric material and an outer tube member made from a fabric like material. The inner tube member is secured to the outer tube member only at an inlet coupler and an outlet coupler. The inlet coupler is constructed to secure to a water supply provided from a conventional household water spigot. The outlet coupler incorporates a flow restrictor allowing the inner tube member to equalize in pressure with pressurized water received from the water supply. Pressurized water expands the elongated inner tube member longitudinally along a length of the inner tube member and laterally across a width of the inner tube member thereby substantially increasing the length of the hose to an expanded condition wherein the hose contracts to a substantially decreased length when there is a decrease in pressurized water.

PRIORITY CLAIM

In accordance with 37 C.F.R. 1.76, a claim of priority is included in anApplication Data Sheet filed concurrently herewith. Accordingly, thepresent invention claims priority as a divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/055,095 entitled “Commercial Hose” filed Feb.26, 2016 and to issue on Feb. 28, 2017 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,581,272 whichclaims priority as a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/301,825 entitled “Commercial Hose” filed Jun. 11, 2014 and issued onMar. 8, 2016 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,279,525, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/859,511, entitled “Commercial Hose”,filed Apr. 9, 2013, and issued Jun. 24, 2014 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,757,213;which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/690,670, entitled “Expandable Garden Hose”, filed Nov. 30, 2012, andissued Jul. 9, 2013 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,479,776; which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/654,832,entitled “Expandable Hose Assembly Coupling Member”, filed Oct. 18,2012, and now abandoned; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/488,515, entitled “Expandable Hose Assembly”,filed Jun. 5, 2012, and issued Oct. 23, 2012 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,291,942;which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/289,447, entitled “Expandable and Contractible Hose”, filed Nov. 4,2011, and issued Oct. 23, 2012 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,291,941; the contentsof the above referenced patents are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of water hoses and inparticular to a hose that expands when pressurized water is introducedand modulated by a flow restrictor positioned at the outlet of the hose.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional hoses are typically constructed from rubber or otherresilient flexible material such as synthetic rubber, thermo plasticrubber or the like photochemical derivatives. A notable problemencountered with conventional garden hoses relates to the storage of thehose when not in use. Garden hoses can be stored on a hose reel, placedwithin a storage container, or simply left on the ground. While storagedevices are practical in certain situations, in many instances theconsumer cannot use or has no desire to employ a storage container. Forexample, a consumer may live in an apartment or small condo and wouldlike to have the benefit of a garden hose for plant watering, carwashing, or the like but does not have room for storage of aconventional garden hose. Another example would be the owner of a boat,RV or plane who may wish to leave the hose with the vehicle. Such placesare impractical for hose conventional hoses.

There are many situations where it is beneficial to store a hose in aslittle a space as possible. If the consumer does not have a device forstoring the hose then they must try to organize the hose on the groundin a way as to not entangle the hose within itself. If improperlyorganized, the hose will tend to kink when uncoiled. This problem istypically encountered by the average homeowner who uses the hoseinfrequently wherein improper storage of a hose can result in thedevelopment of kinks. Garden hoses can be made with thick sidewalls toprevent kinking but result in heavy and cumbersome water hoses. Fiberreinforcements can also be used, such as woven tapes or knittingfollowed by the addition of an outer coating, all of which add to theweight of a garden hose and do not have a shortened length for storage.For this reason, it is of great benefit to have a garden hose that islight in weight, contractible in length, and kink resistant.

Retractable hoses are known to use steel wires formed in a coiled shapewith a vinyl tube, the steel wires wind through the vinyl tube so thatit will normally be in a coiled or rolled configuration when not in use.When pressurized water is introduced into the hose, the hose is unwound.When the pressurized water is removed, the water hose is recoiled to arolled position. Examples of such hoses include U.S. Pat. No. 2,814,529;U.S. Pat. No. 3,035,779 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,966,121.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,539 discloses a self elongating oxygen hose forstowable aviation crew oxygen mask. The supplemental gas assembly suchas used for aircraft crews is provided which includes a mask adapted tofit over at least the nose and mouth of a wearer, together with aflexible, self-elongating hose assembly and a stowage box for receivingthe mask and hose assembly.

The transition zone between a garden hose and pressurized source ofwater, or the garden hose and delivery point, is accomplished by acoupling. Conventional couplings provide a fluid connection between aspigot and a garden hose. However the prior art fails to disclose acoupling capable of attaching to a flexible garden hose having anexpandable inner tube member made of a flexible fluid carrying materialand an outer sleeve made of a fixed length fabric material. Forinstance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,185 discloses a flexible hose reinforcedby armature layers made of flexible cables disposed helically and isattached at least at one end by compression of said layers against rigidpieces, characterized by the supporting elements and gripping elements,which are coaxial, having non-adhesive conical compression surfaceswhich diverge toward the end and by at least one wedge provided withslits being driven between reinforcing layers to ensure compression. Thetubular sleeve is attached to a rigid assembly wherein ends of thelayered pairs are engaged in the conical annular space between thecoaxial supporting element and gripping elements.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,622 discloses a garden hose having a protectiveshell section and a flexible strain relief section releasably attachedto the shell section. The hose is sealably attached to a stem portion ofa coupling by a brass ferrule, the manner by which the hose is attachedto the stem portion is stated as being well known in the art. After theend of the hose having the ferrule slipped over the stem portion so thatthe end of the hose abuts the receive portion, a device is inserted intothe stem portion for expanding it thereby sandwiching the hose betweenthe stem portion and the ferrule for locking the hose to the coupling.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,866 discloses a garden hose assembly having adeformable section that allows a portion of the hose to be coiled arounda support for holding the end of the hose in a desired position.Connectors have coupling stems which are inserted within a base tube andsuch coupling stems are then radially expanded into ferrules orcorrugations.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,800 discloses a flexible tube formed so thatadjacent coils are formed while in a contracted position, the tube isextendible by straightening of the coils. A fitting is formed from anelongate, substantially cylindrical externally barbed portion and a diskshaped head. A bore extends through the fitting which is smaller thanthe inner diameter of the tubing. The fitting portion is inserted intoan end of the tube and held therein by an interference fit with barbsinhibiting removal axially of the tube.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,610 discloses a flexible water spray wand forconnection to a standard garden hose, having a housing connectable at alower end to the garden hose and at an upper end to a flexible tubeassembly connected at an opposite end to a spray nozzle. The flexibletube has an outlet fitting which comprises an externally barbed portionand an externally threaded portion with an annular shouldertherebetween. The barbed portion fits snugly within outlet end portionof the hose with annular shoulder which abuts an outlet end portion ofthe ribbed tube, which can be affixed by silver soldering or adhesives.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,948,527 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,549,448 disclose a linearlyself-actuated hose for use in transporting fluids. A hose has a biasingspring that extends along the full length, and can comprise single ormultiple springs and/or multiple diameter spring coils. The spring iscovered with hose cover material on the outside and hose cover materialon the inside to form a sealed hose and are bowed inward or outwardradially between the individual spring coils depending on the intendeduse of hose. On the end of the hose is mounted a nozzle end which can bedesigned with standard garden hose threads. The nozzle end comprises aninner crimp ring, and outer crimp ring which also provides threads, anda water restriction ring. The hose can be trapped between crimp rings toprovide a compression fit. Crimp rings are also crimped onto each otherso that they form a right unit that will not fall apart during use.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,955,189 discloses a garden hose assembly that includesan elongated and flexible tubular member that includes an open firstend, an open second end and a peripheral wall extending between thefirst and second open ends. A cross-section taken traversely to alongitudinal axis of the tubular member has a generally oblong shapewhen the tubular member is filled with a fluid and a substantiallyflattened shape when the tubular member is not filled with a fluid. Maleand female couplers are defined as conventional hose couplers.

Therefore, what is needed in the art is a commercial grade flexible hosethat can be coupled to a conventional water spigot and will extend inlength when water is introduced into the hose and pressurized at anoutlet of the hose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is a flexible hose that attaches to a conventional waterspigot and will expand upon the presence of water that is pressurizedwithin the hose, the expansion made possible by control of the waterthrough use of a restrictor formed integral to the outlet of the hose.The hose can expand longitudinally by use of an elastic water proofinner tube member positioned within a soft fabric outer tube member.

Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide ahose that expands longitudinally and automatically expands laterallyupon the application of water pressure as controlled by a flowrestrictor positioned along an outlet of the hose.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a hosethat automatically contracts upon release of water pressure from withinthe hose.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a hosethat is relatively light compared to a conventionalnon-expanding/non-contracting hose of a similar length.

It is a still further objective of the present invention to provide ahose that will not kink or become entangled upon itself when in use.

It is still a further objective of the present invention to provide acommercial grade coupling that is made of metal so that the couplingwill operate under adverse working conditions.

Still a further objective of the present invention to provide a flowrestrictor formed integral with an outlet coupling.

Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with anyaccompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration andexample, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings containedherein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplaryembodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects andfeatures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a plane view of a coiled flexible hose of the instantinvention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal side view of the present invention in acontracted position;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the outlet coupling;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal view of the present invention in an expandedposition;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the inlet coupling;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view, perspective view of a section of thehose of the present invention taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view, perspective view of a section of thehose of the present invention taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a pictorial view of the hose with an integral flow restrictorin a contracted state concealing indicia placed on the outer sidewall;

FIG. 9 is a pictorial view of the hose in an expanded state with anintegral flow restrictor and a spray nozzle further illustratingviewable indicia on the outer wall;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the male outlet coupling with an integralflow restrictor;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the female inlet coupling;

FIG. 12 is a cross section view of the inner and outer hose attached toa coupling;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the male outlet coupling with a handleplacement to allow water flow; and

FIG. 14 is a side view of the male outlet coupling with a handleplacement to inhibit water flow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in variousforms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be describeda presently preferred, albeit not limiting, embodiment with theunderstanding that the present disclosure is to be considered anexemplification of the present invention and is not intended to limitthe invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

Referring in general to the Figures, set forth is an expandable hose ofthe present invention. The hose is self-expanding upon the introductionof pressurized water within the hose, and self-contracting upon releaseof water from within the hose. The hose 10 is composed of two separateand distinct tubes, an inner tube member 14 formed from a thermoplasticelastomeric (TPE) or the like material which can expand 2 to 6 times itsrelaxed or unexpanded length, and outer tube member 12 formed from arelatively soft and bendable fabric webbing material. In the preferredembodiment the inner tube member 14 is a thermoplastic elastomer havingelastic properties. The inner tube member 14 expands radially outwardlyor laterally, with respect to its length. The radial expansion of theinner tube member 14 is constrained by the maximum diameter of the outertube member 12. The preferred materials used to form the outer tubemember 12 is a braided or woven polyester. The requirements of the outertube member 12 material is that it be soft, bendable, and should bestrong enough to withstand internal pressures to accommodate the highestwater pressures typically found in a pump or municipal water supply witha safety factor of about 2.5. For example, while conventional pressuresupplies are in the range of 30-60 psi, it is possible for a pump systemto provide up to 100 psi. For this reason it is recommended that theinner and outer tube combination be capable of handling pressures up to250 pounds per square inch, (psi). In the preferred embodiment, thethickness of the outer tube member is about 0.5 mm (0.02 inches) with arange of about 25% on thickness. Further, in the preferred embodimentthe diameter of the outer tube when expanded is about 18-20 mm(0.07-0.082 inches) again with a range of about 25%.

The hose 10 employs a female inlet coupler 18 at a first end forconnecting to a conventional water spigot and an outlet coupler 16 at asecond end having an integrally formed flow restrictor and alsoconnectable to a spray nozzle. The coupler members may be constructedfrom metal and assembled without tools. In the preferred embodiment theinlet coupler 18 includes a female threaded portion 28 rotatablyattached to a first threaded annular collar 71. The female threadedportion 28 is constructed to receive the 12 male threads of aconventional water spigot 23, faucet or the like valve typically foundon the exterior of a building. Most water faucets on buildings employ astandard size male coupler or fitting. A silicone gasket, not shown, canfurther provide a seal between the female threaded portion 28 and thewater connection. The annular coupler 71 includes an inlet tubularextension section 36 extending therefrom having an end 73 insertableinto a first open end of the inner tube member 14. A flow thru aperture38 within the inlet coupler 18 allows water to flow through the coupler.The end 73 has an angular face that allows for ease of inserting intothe first open end of the inner tube member 14 and may include a barb 75that provides frictional engagement to the interior wall of the innertube member 14. In addition to the barb 75, the use of an annular rib 77enhances the engagement between the first end of the inner tube member14 and the inlet tubular extension section 36. In the preferredembodiment, the coupler is constructed from plastic, brass, stainlesssteel, or the like materials.

Upon placement of the first open end of the inner tube member 14 ontothe inlet tubular extension section 36, a first ferrule 79 having aninner wall 81 adapted for placement over a portion the first open end ofthe inner tube member 14 is positioned over inlet tubular extensionsection, preferably over the annular rib 77. In the preferred embodiment13 the ferrule is a collet having a cylindrical inner surface and aconical outer surface. The ferrule includes opposing tabs 80 protrudingfrom its outer surface. The tabs are constructed to engage correspondingslots 72 located on the annular collar 71. An outer wall 83 of the firstferrule 79 is sized for placement with a first open end of the outertube member 12. In a preferred embodiment the first ferrule 79 includekerf cuts 85 that allow for ease of compression of the first ferrule 79onto the inner tube member 14 when first metal collar member 87, havingan inner surface 89 constructed and arranged to thread onto the annularcollar 71, crimps the first open end of the outer tube member 12 betweenthe first ferrule 79 and the collar member 87. Further, the collarmember 87 engages the first ferrule 79 providing a frictional engagementto seal the first open end of the inner tube member 14 to the inlettubular extension section 36 allowing the hose assembly to bepressurized with water without leakage. The female inlet coupler 18employs conventional threads commonly employed for the water hosefitting.

The female inlet coupler 18 may include a hex shaped wall 19 to allowfor ease of holding the inlet coupler 18 while the inner tube member 14is being installed on the inner tubular extension section 36, as well asthe tightening of the second collar member 87 so as to prevent marringof the coupler member during installation or removal. The use of a boxshaped, triangular shaped or the like shaped wall to provide a grippingsurface is contemplated by this disclosure.

The male outlet coupler 16 is formed from a metal threaded couplingsection 20 housing a flow restrictor 21, a metal annular coupler 24, anda metal outlet tubular extension section 32 extending therefrom. A flowthru aperture 31 is centrally disposed along a longitudinal axis of themale outlet coupler 16 having a handle 61 operated ball valve for use inrestricting the flow of water. The end 37 of the outlet tubularextension section 32 is insertable into a first open end of the innertube member 14 for securement thereto. In a preferred embodiment, theend 37 includes a barb 39 having an angular face that allows for ease ofinserting into the second open end of the inner tube member 14 yetprovides frictional engagement to the interior wall of the inner tubemember 14. In addition to the barb 39, the use of an annular rib 41enhances the engagement between the inner tube member 14 and the tubularextension section 32 providing a watertight seal. Upon placement of thesecond open end of the inner tube member 14 onto the tubular extensionsection 32, a second ferrule 43 having an inner wall 45 adapted forplacement over the second open end of the inner tube member 14 that ispositioned over the rib 41.

In the preferred embodiment the ferrule is a collet having a cylindricalinner surface and a conical outer surface with one or more kerf cutsalong its length when squeezed. The ferrule includes opposing tabs 50protruding from its outer surface. The tabs are constructed to engagecorresponding slots 26 located on the annular collar 24. An outer wall47 of the second ferrule 43 is sized for placement within the secondopen end of the outer tube member 12 thereon. In a preferred embodimentthe second ferrule 43 include cuts 49 that allow compression of theferrule 43 onto the inner tube member 14 by use of a collar member 51having an inner surface 53 constructed and arranged to thread onto theannular coupler 24 thereby crimping the outer tube member 12 memberbetween the ferrule 43 and the collar member 51. Further, the secondmetal collar member 51 engages the ferrule 43 sealing the inner tubemember 14 to the outlet tubular extension section 32 allowing the hoseassembly to be pressurized with water up to 250 psi. The collar member51 can include an outer surface texture to allow ease of assembly uponthreading of the collar member 51 to the annular coupler 24. Thethreaded coupler section 20 employs conventional threads commonlyemployed for a water hose. The flow thru aperture 31 allows foruninterrupted water passage and the threaded coupling section 20includes an integrally formed flow restrictor 21 that is capable ofpreventing the flow of water via an on/off valve 33, while the maleoutlet coupler 16 is also connectible to a conventional spray nozzle 25.

The male outlet coupler 16 may include a hex shaped wall 17 to allow forease of holding the male outlet coupler 16 while the inner tube member14 is being installed on the outlet tubular extension section 32, aswell as the tightening of the second collar member 51 so as to preventmarring of the outlet coupler during installation or removal. The use ofa box shaped, triangular shaped or the like shaped wall to provide agripping surface is contemplated by this disclosure.

During assembly, the outer tube member 12 is attached and connected tothe inner tube member 14 only at the first end and second end by themale outlet coupler 16 and the female inlet coupler 18. The outer tubemember 12 is otherwise unattached, unconnected, unbonded, and unsecuredto the elastic inner tube member 14 along the entire length of the innertube member 14 between the first end and the second end and thus theouter tube member 12 is able to move freely with respect to the innertube member 14 along the entire length of the inner tube member 14 whenthe garden hose expands or contracts.

The hose 10 of the present invention is illustrated in its contractedcondition in FIGS. 1, 2, 7 and 8. In this condition, the inner tubemember 14, which is elastic, is in a relaxed contracted conditionwherein there are no forces being applied to the inner tube member 14 toexpand or stretch it. The amount of water that may reside in the tube inits contracted condition is much less than while in its expandedcondition. Also it should be noted that the outer tube member 12 is notin a bonded contact with the inner tube member 14 when the hose is inthis contracted condition, there will be a space 15 between the innertube member 14 and the outer tube member 12. As illustrated in FIG. 7,the thickness of the wall of the inner tube member 14, in the contractedposition, is relatively large compared to the thickness of the innertube member 14, in the expanded position, FIG. 6. The expansion of theelastic inner tube member 14 laterally, is the result of an increase inthe water pressure within the inner tube member 14. This increase inwater pressure also results in the expansion of the length of theelastic inner tube member 14. The expansion of the inner tube member 14,both laterally and longitudinally, results in a decrease in the wallthickness of the inner tube member 14, an increase in the diameter ofthe inner tube member 14 thus increasing the volume of water that canflow through the inner tube member 14. This decrease in wall thicknessis illustrated in FIG. 6, wherein the inside diameter of the inner tubemember 14 has been expanded and extended because of an 18 increase ofthe water pressure and volume within the inner tube member 14.

In the expanded or extended condition, illustrated in FIGS. 4, 6 and 9,the inner tube member 14 is expanded or stretched. In this expandedcondition the outer tube member 12 constrains the lateral expansion ofinner tube member 14. The outer tube member 12 is also taut, smooth, andrelatively flat along its length in this extended condition. Since theouter tube member 12 will not expand laterally or longitudinally beyondthe fabric's length and diameter, the actual length and width of theouter tube member 12 determines the maximum length and maximum width ofthe hose 10 in its expanded condition. Thus the diameter and length ofthe outer tube member 12 determines the diameter and length of the waterhose of the present invention upon the application of water pressure tothe interior of the elastic inner tube member 14. This diameter andlength of the outer tube member 12 is the final diameter and the finallength of the hose 10 when it is in its expanded condition and in use totransport or deliver water.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the hose 10 canexpand from 2 to 6 times its contracted length upon the introduction ofpressurized water into the tube, the pressure would need to be at least20 psi. For example, in one embodiment a ten foot hose in a contracted19 condition would automatically expand to 20 feet when pressurize wateris supplied to the interior of the inner tube member 14 of the hose. Inanother embodiment, a ten foot hose in a contracted condition wouldautomatically expand to 60 feet when pressurize water is supplied to theinterior of the inner tube member 14 of the hose.

The water pressure within the hose is accomplished by introducing waterunder pressure into the inlet of the hose and restricting the flow ofthe water out of the outlet of the hose by use of an integrally formedflow restrictor. In a preferred embodiment the flow restrictor is formedintegral with the fitting as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 wherein ametal on/off ball valve 33 is mounted within the housing for use inrestricting the water. Two opposing gaskets 34, preferablypolytetrafluoroethylene, form a watertight seal on each side of ballvalve 33. When the handle 61 is turned in-line with the flow throughaperture the ball valve 33 allows water to pass. When the handle 61 isturned perpendicular to the flow through aperture the ball valve 33prohibits water flow.

As depicted in FIG. 9, the outlet coupler 16 is preferable attached to aspray nozzle 25. The female inlet coupler 18 of the present invention 10is secured to a water spigot 23 such as that found on the exterior wallof a building. The flow restrictor 21 is then placed in an off positionby 20 rotation of the ball valve 33 so that water cannot pass. When thespigot 23 is opened the pressurized water enters the hose 10 and isprevented from exiting the flow restrictor while in the ball valve is inan off or closed position, wherein the hose is expanded to itspredefined length as limited by the outer tube member 12. For instance,a relatively normal pressure for municipal water is about 60 psi whereinthe water within the hose is equalized to the same pressure. The flowrestrictor 21 is integrally formed to the outlet coupler 16 which canthen be directly attached to a spray nozzle 25. The spray nozzle 25 canbe a conventional water spray nozzle which varies the rate and spraypattern of water exiting from the nozzle but can also be capable ofshutting off the exit of pressurized water. Many spray nozzles areL-shaped so as to be able to be comfortably gripped and used by anindividual and have a pivoting on-off handle which operates an internalflow restrictor valve. A spray nozzle provides various amounts ofrestriction of water at the end of the hose depending on how large theopening in the nozzle is. The smaller the opening in the nozzle, themore the nozzle restricts the release of water at the end of the hose,and the higher the pressure and water volume inside the hose. The largerthe opening in the nozzle, the less the nozzle restricts the release ofwater at the end of the hose, and the lower the pressure and watervolume inside the hose. If the 21 flow of water at the other end of thepresent invention was turned off and totally restricted, the psi insidethe inner tube member would be the same as the pressure coming from thehouse, 60 psi. At this pressure, the inner tube member 14 and the outertube member 12 in the present invention would expand to its maximumlength. As the water at the end of the hose is released, the pressurebecomes reduced inside the hose and the hose begins to contract.However, the present invention will remain fully expanded even when thepressure at the opposite end is reduced below the typical pressure of 60psi coming from a house. In one example, the water pressure coming fromthe house was 60 psi and the water pressure exiting the nozzle at theother end of the water hose was 35 psi. This 35 psi of pressure insidethe elastic inner tube member 14 was enough pressure to cause the innertube member 14 to expand laterally and longitudinally until its lateraland longitudinal expansion became constrained by the outer tube member12 and expanded to the maximum length and width of the outer tube member12. In a preferred embodiment, the hose 10 expands from ten feet inlength in its contracted condition to fifty feet in length in itsexpanded condition. When used in combination with a spray nozzle 25 theflow restrictor 21 allows the user to immediately turn off water to thespray nozzle.

FIG. 12 illustrates how the coupler is secured to the hose wherein theinner tube member is placed over end 73 having an angular face thatallows for ease of inserting into the inner tube member 14 yet providesfrictional engagement to the interior wall of the inner tube member 14.Barb 75 enhances the engagement between the inner tube member 14 and thetubular extension section 36 providing a watertight seal. Upon placementof the end of the inner tube member 14 onto the inlet tubular extensionsection 36, a first ferrule 79 is positioned over inner tube member 14.Outer tube member 12 is placed over the outer surface of the firstferrule 79. Collar member 87 is constructed and arranged to thread ontoan annular collar thereby sandwiching the outer tube member 12 betweenthe first ferrule 79 and the collar member 87. Further, the collarmember engages the first ferrule 79 providing a frictional engagement toprevent the inner tube member 14 from separating from the inlet tubularextension section 36 allowing the hose assembly to be pressurized withwater without leakage.

A feature of the present invention is the savings in weight of the hose.The hose 10 in its contracted condition is relatively light, and uponexpansion the weight of hose does not increase, only the weight of thewater within the hose changes the dynamics. This savings in weightenables the hose of the present invention to be easily carried, easilydragged, easily handled and easily used by anyone who uses the hose butespecially by individuals who do not posses exceptional strength or donot want to drag, carry or lug around heavy, bulky, conventional rubberhoses.

Another feature of the present invention is that the outer tube member12 is reduced or decreased in length when there is no pressure withininner tube member 14. With no pressure or volume in the elastic innertube member 14 the inner tube member automatically contracts. Thecondition of the outer tube member 12 when the inner tube member 14 isin the contracted condition is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 8. Becausethe outer tube member 12 is unsecured to the inner tube member 14 alongthe entire length of the hose between the first end and the second end,the soft fabric material of the outer tube member 12 can move freelywith respect to the inner tube member 14. The fact that the outer tubemember 12 can move freely with respect to the inner tube member 14 alongthe entire length of the hose enables the outer tube member 12 to gatheraround the outside of the circumference of the inner tube member 14along its length in the contracted condition when there is no waterpressure within the inner tube member 14. An empty hose 10 in thecontracted condition is easily stored without the hose kinking orbecoming entangled, as most conventional hoses do. A user of the presentinvention can take hose 10 from a stored condition, secure the hose 10to a water faucet and turn on the water without the fear of the hosebecoming entangled or kinked and without the need to untangle or unkinkthe hose.

After a conventional water hose is used, the hose is normally carried ordragged back to their place of storage and stored on a reel or coiled upupon themselves and laid on a flat surface. This requires time to carryand drag the hose and to properly store the hose and also requires anexpense to purchase the hose reel. The hose 10 of the present inventionautomatically and quickly contracts to its original size as the innertube expels excess water wherein the garden hose of the instantinvention can be easily folded up, rolled up, or coiled up and stored inany container, even very small containers, or on any surface, thussaving time and expense for the owner of the hose.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes water to filland expand the hose 10. Because the inner tube member 14 is elastic itcan expand if the water within the tube freezes. For example, if a hoseof the present invention were left outside in the winter, the watercontained therein would freeze causing an expansion. A conventional hosewould split due to the internal expansion, the flexible hose of thepresent invention would expand because the inner tube member is elasticwithout damage.

All patents and publications mentioned in this specification areindicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which theinvention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporatedby reference to the same extent as if each individual publication wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention isillustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangementherein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in theart that various changes may be made without departing from the scope ofthe invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to whatis shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figuresincluded herein.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the presentinvention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain theends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. Theembodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein arepresently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended tobe exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changestherein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which areencompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by thescope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been describedin connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should beunderstood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited tosuch specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of thedescribed modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious tothose skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A water hose comprising: a flexible elongatedouter tube member having a first end and a second end, an interior ofsaid outer tube member being substantially hollow; a flexible elongatedinner tube member having a first end and a second end, an interior ofsaid inner tube member being substantially hollow; an inlet couplersecured to said first end of said inner and said outer tube members,said inlet coupler having a flow thru aperture with an inlet tubularextension section sealed to a first open end of said inner tube memberand secured to a first open end of said outer tube member; an outletcoupler secured to said second end of said inner and said outer tubemembers, said outlet coupler having a flow thru aperture with an outlettubular extension section sealed to a second open end of said inner tubemember and secured to a second open end of said outer tube member; and aflow restrictor secured to said outlet coupler, whereby said flowrestrictor results in an increase in water pressure between said inletcoupler and said outlet coupler upon the introduction of pressurizedwater through said inlet coupler expanding said inner tube memberlongitudinally along a length of said inner tube member and laterallyacross a width of said inner tube member thereby increasing a length ofsaid inner tube member to an expanded condition to length and widthpermitted by said outer tube member, wherein said inner tube contractsto a decreased or relaxed length when there is a decrease in waterpressure between said inlet coupler causing said outer tube member to begathered into a contracted state.
 2. A method of transporting watercomprising: constructing a hose from an elastic, expandable, hollowelongated inner tube having a first end and a second end placed within anon-elastic, bendable, hollow elongated outer tube having a first endand a second end; securing a first coupler to said first end of saidinner and said outer tubes; securing a second coupler to said second endof said inner and said outer tubes with said inner and said outer tubesbeing secured to each other only at said first and said second ends andunsecured to each other between said first and said second ends;securing a flow restrictor to said second connector; wherein said firstcoupler can be attached to a source of pressurized water whereby saidflow restrictor results in an increase in water pressure whichautomatically expands said inner tube longitudinally along a length andlaterally across a width of said inner tube thereby increasing thelength and width of said hose to an elongated condition allowing thetransfer of water from the first coupler receiving water from thepressurized water source through the second coupler using thepressurized water to maintain the length of the hose in an expandedcondition; wherein the expanded length and width of said hoseautomatically contracts to a decreased length and width by removing saidsource of water pressure, whereby said inner tube moves freely withrespect to said outer tube when there is no water pressure differentialbetween said first coupler and said second coupler.
 3. The method oftransporting a water of claim 2 including securing an expansionrestrictor sleeve to said first end of said inner and said outer tubes;securing another expansion restrictor sleeve to said second end of saidinner and said outer tubes; whereby when said increase in fluid pressureexpands said inner tube, said expansion restrictor sleeve and saidanother expansion restrictor sleeve restrain the expansion of said innerand said outer tubes and prevent said inner tube from increasing indiameter as a step function.
 4. The method of transporting a fluid ofclaim 2 wherein said outer tube constrains the lateral or radialexpansion and the longitudinal expansion of said inner tube upon anincrease of said water pressure between said first coupler and saidsecond coupler within said hose.